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1.
Ear Nose Throat J ; : 1455613231179714, 2023 Jun 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20236654

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare phenomenon, characterized by a hemorrhagic or ischemic event of the pituitary gland, most often in association with a pituitary lesion. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the strain of virus responsible for the internationally recognized global pandemic COVID-19. Multiple clinical manifestations associated with this virus have been described, ranging from asymptomatic, mild flu symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome, end-organ failure leading to death. Cases of patients with concomitant COVID-19 infections and PA are being further recognized in the literature, but the causal association between the 2 entities remains speculative. Objectives: The objectives of this case series are 3-fold: to describe additional cases of patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection and PA (1), to review the current evidence regarding this potential complication associated with a COVID-19 infection (2), and to discuss physiopathological hypotheses, treatments, and prognoses of this newly recognized association (3). Method: We conducted an electronic chart review of patients treated for PA with concomitant COVID-19 infection from March 2020 to December 2021. A literature review was performed using MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase databases to identify other cases of COVID-19-associated PA. Results: From March 2020 to December 2021, 3 patients presented to our center with PA following a symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Two of these patients developed PA symptoms days following the viral infection, whereas the third patient developed PA after a 2-month period. The 2 first patients were managed surgically because of persistent visual symptoms. Results from our literature review yielded 12 other cases of COVID-19-associated PAs. Conclusions: The association between COVID-19 infection and PA has been increasingly reported in the literature. With the addition of the 3 cases described in our article, a total of 15 cases have been published. Many contributing mechanisms may lead to PA following COVID-19 infection. Coagulopathy is probable major contributing cause responsible for hemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland. Our case series provides further arguments that PA may be a direct manifestation of a COVID-19 infection.

2.
Therapie ; 2022 Dec 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2312163
3.
Brain Hemorrhages ; 2022 Nov 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2318690

ABSTRACT

It is news of 28 October 2022 that the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency has recommended to add heavy menstrual bleeding among the side effects of unknown frequency inside the package insert of nucleoside-modified messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The decision has been made in the light of the numerous reports of unexpected menstrual changes or abnormal uterine bleeding following COVID-19 vaccination. Here we advance a possible involvement of the particular adenohypophyseal microcirculation in these strange and still unexplained events.

4.
Clin Pract ; 11(4): 919-932, 2021 Dec 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2284023

ABSTRACT

Coordination of care for patients with neuro-ophthalmic disorders can be very challenging in the community emergency department (ED) setting. Unlike university- or tertiary hospital-based EDs, the general ophthalmologist is often not as familiar with neuro-ophthalmology and the examination of neuro-ophthalmology patients in the acute ED setting. Embracing image capturing of the fundus, using a non-mydriatic camera, may be a game-changer for communication between ED physicians, ophthalmologists, and tele-neurologists. Patient care decisions can now be made with photographic documentation that is then conveyed through HIPAA-compliant messaging with accurate and useful information with both ease and convenience. Likewise, external photos of the anterior segment and motility are also helpful. Finally, establishing clinical and imaging guidelines for common neuro-ophthalmic disorders can help facilitate complete and appropriate evaluation and treatment.

5.
Biomedicines ; 11(3)2023 Feb 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2260527

ABSTRACT

Various complications of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) are reported, and an intratumor hemorrhage or infarct underlying pituitary apoplexy (PA) represents an uncommon, yet potentially life-threatening, feature, and thus early recognition and prompt intervention are important. Our purpose is to overview PA from clinical presentation to management and outcome. This is a narrative review of the English-language, PubMed-based original articles from 2012 to 2022 concerning PA, with the exception of pregnancy- and COVID-19-associated PA, and non-spontaneous PA (prior specific therapy for PitNET). We identified 194 original papers including 1452 patients with PA (926 males, 525 females, and one transgender male; a male-to-female ratio of 1.76; mean age at PA diagnostic of 50.52 years, the youngest being 9, the oldest being 85). Clinical presentation included severe headache in the majority of cases (but some exceptions are registered, as well); neuro-ophthalmic panel with nausea and vomiting, meningism, and cerebral ischemia; respectively, decreased visual acuity to complete blindness in two cases; visual field defects: hemianopia, cranial nerve palsies manifesting as diplopia in the majority, followed by ptosis and ophthalmoplegia (most frequent cranial nerve affected was the oculomotor nerve, and, rarely, abducens and trochlear); proptosis (N = 2 cases). Risk factors are high blood pressure followed by diabetes mellitus as the main elements. Qualitative analysis also pointed out infections, trauma, hematologic conditions (thrombocytopenia, polycythemia), Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and T3 thyrotoxicosis. Iatrogenic elements may be classified into three main categories: medication, diagnostic tests and techniques, and surgical procedures. The first group is dominated by anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs; additionally, at a low level of statistical evidence, we mention androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, chemotherapy, thyroxine therapy, oral contraceptives, and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. The second category includes a dexamethasone suppression test, clomiphene use, combined endocrine stimulation tests, and a regadenoson myocardial perfusion scan. The third category involves major surgery, laparoscopic surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, mitral valvuloplasty, endonasal surgery, and lumbar fusion surgery in a prone position. PA in PitNETs still represents a challenging condition requiring a multidisciplinary team from first presentation to short- and long-term management. Controversies involve the specific panel of risk factors and adequate protocols with concern to neurosurgical decisions and their timing versus conservative approach. The present decade-based analysis, to our knowledge the largest so far on published cases, confirms a lack of unanimous approach and criteria of intervention, a large panel of circumstantial events, and potential triggers with different levels of statistical significance, in addition to a heterogeneous clinical picture (if any, as seen in subacute PA) and a spectrum of evolution that varies from spontaneous remission and control of PitNET-associated hormonal excess to exitus. Awareness is mandatory. A total of 25 cohorts have been published so far with more than 10 PA cases/studies, whereas the largest cohorts enrolled around 100 patients. Further studies are necessary.

6.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab ; 2022 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2258120

ABSTRACT

Adrenal hemorrhage is an uncommon underrecognized condition that can be encountered in several clinical contexts. Diagnosing adrenal hemorrhage is challenging due to the non-specific clinical features. Therefore, it remains a diagnosis that is made serendipitously on imaging of acutely unwell patients rather than with prospective clinical suspicion. Adrenal hemorrhage can follow abdominal trauma or on a background of predisposing conditions such as adrenal tumors, sepsis, or coagulopathy. Adrenal hemorrhage is also increasingly reported in patients with COVID-19 infection and in the context of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, in both cases likely as a consequence of adrenal vein thrombosis. Unexplained abdominal pain with hemodynamic instability in a patient with a predisposing condition should alert the physician to the possibility of adrenal hemorrhage. Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage can lead to adrenal insufficiency and potentially fatal adrenal crisis without timely recognition and treatment. In this article, we highlight the clinical circumstances that are associated with higher risk of adrenal hemorrhage, encouraging clinicians to prospectively consider the diagnosis, and share a diagnostic and management strategy.

7.
Medicina ; 83(1):133-137, 2023.
Article in Spanish | Europe PMC | ID: covidwho-2244733

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) is responsible for a wide variety of extrapulmonary manifestations, among which direct or indirect neurological compromise stands out. Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical and neurosurgical entity of variable severity, usually associated with a pituitary adenoma. Literature is scarce regarding the association between these diseases. This paper reports a case of pituitary apoplexy, manifested concomitantly to the diagnosis of COVID 19 in a patient with unknown pituitary macroadenoma, and its therapeutic management, reviewing the mechanisms potentially underlying the link between both entities.

8.
Brain Hemorrhages ; 4(1):27-29, 2023.
Article in English | PubMed | ID: covidwho-2244684

ABSTRACT

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) may complicate the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), posing a potential threat to life. Among vaccines designed to prevent COVID-19, there are those adenoviral vector-based, such as Vaxzevria® (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). The product insert states that it can cause very rare coagulation disorders, in particular thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome in some cases accompanied by bleeding, cerebrovascular venous or sinus thrombosis, and thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia, also associated with bleeding. Here, we report the onset of PA after Vaxzevria® in a 28-year-old healthy Caucasian female, who experienced long-lasting tension-type headache, hyperprolactinemia and menstrual changes, without thrombocytopenia or thrombosis.

10.
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) ; 98(6): 766-778, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2223281

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Adrenal haemorrhage (AH) is an uncommon, usually incidental imaging finding in acutely unwell patients. AH has been reported during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccination. The Society for Endocrinology (SfE) established a task force to describe the UK experience of COVID-19-related AH. DESIGN: A systematic literature review was undertaken. A survey was conducted through the SfE clinical membership to identify patients with COVID-19-related AH using a standardized data collection tool. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 25 cases of COVID-19-related AH (19 bilateral; 13 infection-related, and 12 vaccine-related). Eight UK centres responded to the survey with at least one case. A total of 18 cases were included in the descriptive study, including 11 from the survey and 7 UK-based patients from the systematic review. Seven patients (4 males; median age 53 (range 26-70) years), had infection-related AH (four bilateral). Median time from positive COVID-19 test to AH detection was 8 (range 1-30) days. Eleven cases of vaccine-related AH (eight bilateral) were captured (3 males; median age 47 (range 23-78) years). Median time between vaccination (nine Oxford-AstraZeneca and two Pfizer-BioNTech) and AH was 9 (range 2-27) days; 9/11 AH occurred after the first vaccine dose. Acute abdominal pain was the commonest presentation (72%) in AH of any cause. All 12 patients with bilateral AH and one patient with unilateral AH required glucocorticoid replacement. CONCLUSION: Adrenal haemorrhage with consequential adrenal insufficiency can be a complication of COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Adrenal function assessment is mandatory to avoid the potentially fatal consequences of unrecognized adrenal insufficiency.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Insufficiency , COVID-19 , Male , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , COVID-19/complications , Hemorrhage , United Kingdom/epidemiology , Multicenter Studies as Topic
11.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) ; 13: 1035482, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2224761

ABSTRACT

A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for vomit, nausea, diplopia, and headache resistant to analgesic drugs. Symptoms started the day after his third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Moderna) whereas SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab was negative. Pituitary MRI showed recent bleeding in macroadenoma, consistent with pituitary apoplexy. Adverse Drug Reaction was reported to AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency).A stress dexamethasone dose was administered due to the risk of adrenal insufficiency and to reduce oedema. Biochemistry showed secondary hypogonadism; inflammatory markers were elevated as well as white blood cells count, fibrinogen and D-dimer. Pituitary tumour transsphenoidal resection was performed and pathology report was consistent with pituitary adenoma with focal haemorrhage and necrosis; we found immunohistochemical evidence for SARS-CoV-2 proteins next to pituitary capillaries, in the presence of an evident lymphocyte infiltrate.Few cases of pituitary apoplexy after COVID-19 vaccination and infection have been reported. Several hypotheses have been suggested to explain this clinical picture, including cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and pituitary proteins, COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, infection-driven acutely increased pituitary blood demand, anti-Platelet Factor 4/heparin antibodies development after vaccine administration. Ours is the first case of SARS-CoV-2 evidence in pituitary tissue, suggesting that endothelial infection of pituitary capillaries could be present before vaccination, possibly due to a previous asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our case underlines that SARS-CoV-2 can associate with apoplexy by penetrating the central nervous system, even in cases of negative nasal swab. Patients with pituitary tumours may develop pituitary apoplexy after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, therefore clinicians should be aware of this risk.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pituitary Apoplexy , Pituitary Neoplasms , Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Pituitary Apoplexy/etiology , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination
12.
Cureus ; 14(12): e32810, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2217547

ABSTRACT

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that usually occurs in the setting of a pre-existing pituitary tumor, which may be undiagnosed. There are a growing number of reports describing the pituitary apoplexy associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We present the case of a 41-year-old man who presented with a gradually worsening headache for four days. It was a bilateral frontal headache of sharp quality with no radiation. He scored the headache as 9 out of 10 on the 10-point severity scale. He had no previous episodes of similar headaches. Fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral optic disc blurring suggestive of papilledema and cranial nerves examination revealed bilateral hemianopia. The patient was admitted for further investigation and management. As part of the admission protocol, the patent underwent a nasopharyngeal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which yielded positive results. Computed tomography demonstrated a large solid intrasellar mass with areas of high density suggesting hemorrhage along with a small amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage space in the left parietal lobe. The findings were consistent with pituitary apoplexy in the setting of pituitary macroadenoma. Intravenous hydrocortisone was administered. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgical resection of the pituitary tumor, which resulted in significant improvement in the patient's symptoms. Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition. The case suggests that COVID-19 may predispose to the development of pituitary apoplexy.

13.
J Curr Ophthalmol ; 34(3): 364-368, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2202040

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report a 16-year-old female patient with pituitary apoplexy in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection-related thrombocytopenia in the absence of preexisting pituitary macroadenoma. Methods: The patient had been admitted because of respiratory complications of COVID-19 infection and developed thrombocytopenia, intense headache, and symptoms of cavernous sinus syndrome. Results: Urgent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain depicted a pituitary apoplexy. Conclusion: This case indicated that thrombocytopenia due to COVID-19 could be a predisposing factor for pituitary apoplexy in the absence of underlying pituitary disease.

14.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 10(12)2022 Nov 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2123916

ABSTRACT

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019, a massive vaccination campaign has been undertaken rapidly and worldwide. Like other vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is not devoid of side effects. Typically, the adverse side effects of vaccination include transient headache, fever, and myalgia. Endocrine organs are also affected by adverse effects. The major SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-associated endocrinopathies reported since the beginning of the vaccination campaign are thyroid and pancreas disorders. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced pituitary diseases have become more frequently described in the literature. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE for commentaries, case reports, and case series articles reporting pituitary disorders following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The search was reiterated until September 2022, in which eight case reports were found. In all the cases, there were no personal or familial history of pituitary disease described. All the patients described had no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to the vaccination episode. Regarding the type of vaccines administered, 50% of the patients received (BNT162b2; Pfizer-BioNTech) and 50% received (ChAdOx1 nCov-19; AstraZeneca). In five cases, the pituitary disorder developed after the first dose of the corresponding vaccine. Regarding the types of pituitary disorder, five were hypophysitis (variable clinical aspects ranging from pituitary lesion to pituitary stalk thickness) and three were pituitary apoplexy. The time period between vaccination and pituitary disorder ranged from one to seven days. Depending on each case's follow-up time, a complete remission was obtained in all the apoplexy cases but in only three patients with hypophysitis (persistence of the central diabetes insipidus). Both quantity and quality of the published data about pituitary inconveniences after COVID-19 vaccination are limited. Pituitary disorders, unlike thyroid disorders, occur very quickly after COVID-19 vaccination (less than seven days for pituitary disorders versus two months for thyroid disease). This is partially explained by the ease of reaching the pituitary, which is a small gland. Therefore, this gland is rapidly overspread, which explains the speed of onset of pituitary symptoms (especially ADH deficiency which is a rapid onset deficit with evocative symptoms). Accordingly, these pilot findings offer clinicians a future direction to be vigilant for possible pituitary adverse effects of vaccination. This will allow them to accurately orient patients for medical assistance when they present with remarkable symptoms, such as asthenia, polyuro-polydipsia, or severe headache, following a COVID-19 vaccination.

15.
J Clin Transl Endocrinol Case Rep ; 25: 100123, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1977463

ABSTRACT

Background: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare endocrine emergency, which commonly presents with headache and is occasionally associated with visual disturbances. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can be both life and vision saving. In the emergence of novel coronavirus and global pandemic, rapid development of new vaccines have shown to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with Covid-19. Recognition of rare potential adverse effects of these vaccines including pituitary apoplexy are yet to be reported. A causal link between pituitary apoplexy and COVID-19 vaccination has not been established. Case presentation: We report a case of a 24-year-old woman who presented with progressively worsening headache soon after completing her COVID-19 vaccination. Imaging showed pituitary apoplexy with an underlying pituitary mass. In view of the age and the typical presentation of severe headache, pituitary hypophysitis was considered, despite the absence of the almost pathognomonic feature of a thickened pituitary stalk in the initial imaging. In the context that the headache had started shortly after the administration of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, this potentially could have been the trigger for the occurrence of pituitary apoplexy. Conclusion: Although the pathophysiology is not entirely clear and no direct link could be ascertained, our patient may have developed an exaggerated immunological response after the vaccine, with a possible pituitary hypophysitis leading to a pituitary apoplexy.

16.
Surg Neurol Int ; 13: 253, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1912598

ABSTRACT

Background: Pituitary metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is rare and only a few cases have been reported. Case Description: We report the case of a patient who presented with visual dysfunction and panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pituitary tumor and hydrocephalus. Transsphenoidal surgery had been indicated, but his surgery had been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. During that waiting period, he showed pituitary apoplexy with consciousness disturbance, resulting in acute adrenal insufficiency and diabetes insipidus. He was urgently hospitalized and underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Rapid and permanent pathological examinations have confirmed metastasis of PTC to the pituitary. The patient also underwent serial thyroidectomy. He was also suspected to have secondary hydrocephalus and underwent lumboperitoneal shunting after excluding cerebrospinal fluid metastasis. Thereafter, his cognitive dysfunction and performance status improved dramatically. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient with PTC who developed pituitary apoplexy secondary to metastasis.

17.
Annales D Endocrinologie ; 83(2):103-108, 2022.
Article in English | English Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1882403

ABSTRACT

Thyroid and pituitary disorders linked to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 epidemic, are mainly due to direct infection of the endocrine glands by the virus and to cell damage induced by the immune response. The two most frequent thyroid complications of COVID-19 are low T3 syndrome, or ???non-thyroidal illness syndrome??? (NTIS), and thyroiditis. Studies among in-patients with COVID-19 have shown that between one out of six and half of them have a low TSH level, related to NTIS and thyroiditis, respectively, sometimes found in the same patient. In NTIS, the decrease in free T3 con-centration correlates with the severity of the infection and with a poor prognosis. Assessment of thyroid function in patients after a COVID-19 infection, shows normalization of thyroid function tests. Thyroiditis linked to COVID-19 can be divided into two groups, which probably differ in their pathophysiology. One is ???destructive??? thyroiditis occurring early in infection with SARS-CoV-2, with a severe form of COVID-19, usually observed in men. It is often asymptomatic and associated with lymphopenia. The other is subacute thyroiditis occurring, on average, one month after the COVID-19 episode, usually in clinically symptomatic women and associated with moderate hyperleukocytosis. Post-infection, one quarter to one third of patients remain hypothyroid. An Italian study demonstrated that low TSH in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 was associated with prolonged hospitalization and a higher mortality risk. Pituitary dis-eases associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are much rarer and the causal relationship more difficult to ascertain. Several cases of pituitary apoplexy and diabetes insipidus during COVID-19 infection have been reported. Hyponatremia occurs in 20???50% of patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19. The prevalence of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) amongst these hyponatremic cases is difficult to determine. These endocrine complications may influence the prognosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Although they rarely require specific treatment, it is important that endocrinologists recognize them to ensure appropriate management, particularly in the acute phase. ?? 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

18.
J Neurol Surg Rep ; 83(1): e8-e12, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1830274

ABSTRACT

This report describes a case of pituitary apoplexy with rapidly evolving hemorrhage in a 74-year-old female with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. The patient presented with severe headache and mild respiratory symptoms, with laboratories concerning for pituitary hypofunction. Brain imaging demonstrated a sellar mass concerning for a pituitary adenoma with ischemic apoplexy. She subsequently developed visual deficits within 24 hours of presentation, and repeat imaging demonstrated evolving hemorrhage and new mass effect on the optic chiasm. She was successfully managed with urgent endoscopic endonasal surgery despite her COVID-19 positive status by taking special intraoperative precautions to mitigate SARS-CoV2 transmission risk. Only a handful of cases of pituitary apoplexy have been reported in association with COVID-19 disease, and even fewer reports exist of endonasal procedures in such cases. We discuss the potential implication of COVID-19 in the occurrence of pituitary apoplexy, in addition to the safety and success of endonasal surgery in this population.

19.
Journal of Neurological Surgery, Part B Skull Base ; 83(SUPPL 1), 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1815667

ABSTRACT

Objectives: (1) Present a case of visual decompensation related to a Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) in setting of acute COVID-19 infection. (2) Review the literature on the presentation and management of RCCs. Study Design: Case report and review of the literature. Results: We report a case of a 32-year-old female diagnosed with a sellar mass who was transferred from an outside hospital for acute visual field decompensation. Upon arrival, the patient reported a decline in vision over the past 3 days, photophobia, and diplopia with physical exam confirming these findings. Of note, patient was unvaccinated and laboratory testing revealed that she was COVID-19 positive with mild symptoms of congestion. Imaging revealed a large intrasellar and suprasellar T1 hyperintense mass with displacement of the optic chiasm superiorly ([Fig. 1]). An endoscopic transsphenoidal approach was performed and the cyst was marsupialized into the sphenoid sinus decompressing the optic chiasm. Cultures demonstrated many white blood cells, but no organisms. Pathology confirmed a diagnosis of RCC. There was no intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak noted. To prevent reaccumulation of cyst contents, a free mucosal graft harvested from the posterior septectomy and was used to line the sellar defect to facilitate marsupialization into the sphenoid sinus. Postoperatively, physical exam revealed normalization of her vision and extraocular movements, and the patient subjectively confirmed these findings. She was discharged home on postoperative day 3 without complications. Review of the literature demonstrates that visual field deficits are a common presenting finding in RCC patients and acute inflammation of RCCs can present similarly to pituitary apoplexy. Transsphenoidal approaches are safe and effective in surgical decompression of RCCs. Lining the exposed cyst cavity with a free mucosal graft or nasoseptal flap may facilitate promotion of an epithelialized track to prevent cyst reaccumulation. Conclusion: A case of acute visual decompensation related to a RCC in setting of acute COVID-19 infection is presented. Inflammation of the RCC, presumably related to COVID-19 infection, contributed to the acute presentation. Endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches are effective at decompression of RCCs and free mucosal grafts or nasoseptal flaps may promote epithelialization of a tract to decrease recurrences.

20.
Neuroepidemiology ; 56(SUPPL 1):69, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1812949

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2(SARS-Cov2) is well known to cause a multitude of neurologic conditions out of which remains the rather rare condition of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy. It's a devastating condition with early immunotherapy bringing a more favorable outcome. Pathophysiology suggests the dysregulation of the blood brain barrier secondary to the cytokine storm. Pituitary apoplexy is an unrelated acute condition in which there is either hemorrhagic or non- hemorrhagic necrosis of the pituitary gland. It again has multiple predisposing factors including changes in intracranial pressure and underlying coagulation disorders. Case Presentation: A thirty-five-year-old male patient with poorly controlled diabetes presented to our emergency department with fever, cough and progressive respiratory distress for three days. He was drowsy with clinical features of bronchopneumonia and his COVID PCR was positive (He had taken only the first dose of Sinopharm nearly a month before). Within twenty-four hours, he was sent to the ICU for ventilatory support mainly due to low GCS. His HRCT Chest revealed severe COVID pneumonia. MRI brain revealed high signal intensities involving cerebellum, brainstem, bilateral thalami and mesial temporal lobes compatible with acute necrotizing encephalopathy with a pituitary macroadenoma and bleeding into it. He received high dose steroids followed by plasma exchange leading to resolution of the above changes within a month but passed away at the end of six weeks due to secondary bacterial sepsis. Discussion: Here the pituitary macroadema was an incidental finding and the bleeding was postulated to be secondary to changes in intra cranial pressure. Both the Necrotizing encephalopathy and the pituitary apoplexy might have resulted in the reduced conscious level in the above patient in the background of severe COVID pneumonia. The immunotherapy was successful in resolution of the radiologic changes though the patient deteriorated clinically following a transient improvement due to bacterial sepsis.

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